Accelerate Development Works in Raigad District – Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar

Mumbai : Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has directed that a revised proposal worth ₹80 crore for the development of reserved forests and eco-tourism sites under the Dr. C.D. Deshmukh Biodiversity, Forest and Garden Project at Jamgaon in Roha taluka, Raigad district, should be submitted immediately. The Finance Department will promptly verify and approve the proposal, and funds will be made available as required. Ongoing works being implemented with the currently available ₹30 crore should be completed on a priority basis. These directives were given by Pawar in a meeting held at Mantralaya to accelerate various development works in Raigad district.

Review of Development Works in Raigad District

The meeting included discussions on multiple development initiatives such as the Dr. C.D. Deshmukh Biodiversity, Forest and Garden Project in Jamgaon; construction of a ropeway at the Kedarjanani Mata temple in Tise, Roha taluka; relocation of the landslide-prone Sambe village in Roha taluka for safety; establishment of a Salinity Research Centre under Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth at Girne in Tala taluka; construction of a fishery and tourist accommodation centre at Diveagar in Shrivardhan taluka under the Central Government’s Swadesh Darshan scheme; and inclusion of the Padmadurg fort in Murud taluka under the Fort Conservation Scheme, along with resolution of issues in the Murud fort area and Rajapuri Gram Panchayat.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and attended by Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, MP Sunil Tatkare, Additional Chief Secretaries of Planning, Cultural Affairs, Urban Development, and Relief & Rehabilitation, senior officials from the Finance, Tourism Departments, CIDCO, the Divisional Commissioner of Konkan, and the District Collector of Raigad.

Development of Dr. C.D. Deshmukh Biodiversity, Forest, and Garden Project

Deputy CM Pawar emphasized that no shortage of funds should hinder the establishment of the Biodiversity and Forest Park at Jamgaon, in memory of Dr. C.D. Deshmukh, a renowned economist and son of the Konkan region. Ongoing works must be completed urgently, and the proposal for eco-tourism development should be submitted to the government without delay. After verification, approval will be given swiftly, and funds will be released in phases as necessary. He instructed that all related administrative procedures be completed immediately.

Ropeway at Kedarjanani Mata Temple in Tise

Discussions were held regarding the proposed ropeway at the Kedarjanani Mata temple in Tise, Roha taluka. Under the Government of India’s “Parvatmala” scheme, ropeway projects have been proposed at 45 locations including Kalsubai, Harishchandragad, Matheran, Sinhgad, Shivneri, Rajgad, Bhimashankar, Lenyadri, Jejuri, and Nimgaon Khandoba. A proposal for including Tise’s Kedarjanani temple in this list should be submitted, following which it will be sent to the central government after state approval. Necessary permissions from the Forest Department should be secured urgently to expedite the project.

Relocation of Landslide-Prone Sambe Village

Given the risk of landslides in Sambe village of Roha taluka, Pawar directed that relocation and rehabilitation of the village should be carried out on a war footing. All necessary administrative steps should be completed immediately. He asserted that protecting human lives is of utmost importance and that any negligence in relocating such vulnerable villages will not be tolerated.

Salinity Research Centre at Girne, Tala Taluka

The meeting also discussed the establishment of a Salinity Research Centre under Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth at Girne in Tala taluka. CIDCO will fulfil its assurances made during land acquisition, and the university will be provided with land and basic infrastructure required for agricultural research, extension, and the research centre. Required funding will be provided by CIDCO and the state government. The university should submit a detailed proposal for state approval.

Inclusion of Padmadurg Fort in Fort Conservation Scheme

Considering the historical significance of Padmadurg Fort in Murud taluka, Pawar instructed that a proposal be submitted to include it in the state’s Fort Conservation Scheme. Many history enthusiasts and tourists wish to visit this fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but the lack of a jetty and proper facilities makes access difficult. A proposal to build a tourism jetty for Padmadurg Fort is under consideration by the central government, and necessary approvals from the Archaeological Survey of India should be expedited.

The meeting also covered issues related to the Murud fort area and Rajapuri Gram Panchayat, as well as the construction of a fishery and tourist accommodation centre in Diveagar under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. Deputy CM Pawar directed the concerned departments, along with the District Collector of Raigad and the Divisional Commissioner, to carry out all necessary actions promptly.